Belagavi, December 17

A special POCSO court in Belagavi on Wednesday sentenced a 30-year-old man to 30 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹50,000 for a sexual offence against a minor girl.

The convict, Veerappa Muttappa Danannavar, a resident of Kaujalagi village in Gokak taluk, committed the offence despite being aware that the victim was speech-impaired and mentally challenged, the court observed.

The prosecution said the incident took place on September 19, 2023, when the accused entered the minor’s house and committed the offence. The victim later conveyed what had occurred through gestures.

A case was registered by Kulagod police sub-inspector G S Patil and investigated by Mudalagi circle police inspector Shrishail Byakod.

After examining eight witnesses, 44 documents and 14 material objects, special judge Pushpalatha found the accused guilty.

The court also directed the District Legal Services Authority to grant ₹4 lakh as compensation to the victim, to be deposited in a nationalised bank for five years for her welfare.